Petition effort underway to save Coyle from demolition
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
A last ditch effort is underway to save the Coyle Theater, despite a demolition permit being issued last week to the contractor in charge of razing the site.
Charleroi borough issued a demolition permit to Schaaf Excavating Aug. 14 to begin the process, which will start with disconnecting utility lines and then move inside of the building to remove asbestos and other hazardous materials before any bricks will fall.
Many Mon Valley residents had mixed emotions July 25 when the Mon Valley Alliance announced the demolition contract had been signed to move forward tearing down the historic theater, which has sat vacant for 30 years despite many efforts to save the building through the decades.
North Belle Vernon resident and business owner Melanie Patterson is the most recent person to raise her voice on behalf of the historic landmark.
Patterson created a petition on change.org, the same day the demolition permit was granted to contractors, in hopes of generating enough signatures to stop the wrecking ball.
A second petition, also created on change.org, was started by Charleroi resident Rick McKita to counter Pattersons and seek support for demolishing the building.
His petition was closed Wednesday with less than 50 signatures, claiming it a victory after the news of the demolition permit broke.
Patterson’s petition is still gaining momentum, having garnered more than 550 signatures as of presstime.
If she hits 1,000 signatures, she said she is planning to send the petition to President Donald Trump.
It would help, Patterson said, “since Charleroi has been designated by the federal government as an Opportunity Zone and our president wants projects that will create jobs and stimulate economic growth for a region and the restoration of this theater can so just that.”
She feels salvaging the theater is the only way to save the Magic City from future decline.
“Tourism is the one asset we have that we can sell,” she said. “That theater has the potential to become a regional destination and bring the Magic City back to life.”
Her passionate plea has also gained support from an area businessman who says he has a plan – and nearly $2 million in potential funding – to save the theater from destruction.
On Wednesday, Sound Spectrum Media CEO Eric Kellermann, reached out to Mon Valley Alliance CEO Ben Brown requesting the organization to delay demolition.
Sound Spectrum Media is a media, film and entertainment promotion/production company based in McKeesport.
Kellermann called Brown Wednesday to discuss the Coyle – and previous efforts to save the theater nearly a year ago.
According to Kellermann, his interested in the Coyle property began in 2016 when the building was still owned by the Mid-Mon Valley Cultural Trust.
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